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Let us take a moment and say our prayers. Let us not forget.Pray for the loved ones we lost and for those who were left behind.Remember that day and how we all came together, united.Remember today and let our hearts be filled with love to get through another year.Make today be a reminder to hold our loved ones tighter, to wake up and remember every line on their faces, to forgive, to pick up the phone and let them know how much we love them.

So that my children and grandchildren will always remember...

With all the stress this deportation had
put me through, I didn’t realize I had a bigger responsibility of explaining
the situation to my children. I took for granted that they probably felt bad,
too, but before I read their letters, I didn’t realize how severe the situation
was.

In the meantime, my parents decided to move out of New Jersey until we got
the help that we needed. They were scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on September 11, 2001.

September 10, 2001, I said my “goodbyes” to my parents.

Then tomorrow came. It was September 11, 2001.

A few minutes past 8 in the morning, I had just
dropped off my three children at school. I was driving my Ford Expedition with
my 6-month-old baby in his car seat, heading back home to drive my parents to
the airport when I heard on the radio, Z100-FM, that an airplane had crashed
into the WorldTradeCenter.
I hurriedly went back to the house and turned on the television.

I couldn’t believe what I saw on television.

My parents had originally planned on taking an earlier
flight from NewarkInternationalAirport
to San Francisco,
where my Mom’s sister lives. However, in the previous week, my parents had
changed their minds and had switched their plans to fly to Los Angeles instead. If my Mom had insisted
on heading to San Francisco, my parents could
have been on board United Airlines Flight 93, which ultimately crashed in Pennsylvania! Needless
to say, my parents were lucky to have chosen a different flight schedule.

As I watched TV, I couldn’t move. The kids were in
school. Craig was at work. I called Benjie and told him to stay put and said,
“We’re not taking Mom and Dad to the airport!”

And then the phone rang. The caller-ID registered my
mother-in-law’s work number. She worked in a building right near the WorldTradeCenter.

“Mom, are you all right?” I asked, before Craig’s mom
could say hello.

“I’m fine. Dad is here,” she replied.

“No, he’s not there,” I said.

“No, Dad is here,” she repeated, enunciating every
syllable so I could understand her.

“No, he’s in Cranford,”
I insisted.

“Not today, honey,” she said. “Today he went to the WorldTradeCenter, and he is here
with me at the office. Both Dad and I are heading out.”

“Oh…” I sighed.

In her office was a collage of family pictures I had
given her – Craig and me, Melayne, and various pictures of the four children.
She was looking at the photographs as she continued in a somber tone, “We will
come home. I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I promise you we will be
home and we will see you. “

“I love you, mom.” I said.

“I love you, too,” she said. “Tell everyone I love
them.”

“I will.”

Her office was in the process of evacuating. She had
called me at home because she knew I would be home with the new baby. She
called her sister, too, to let her know that she was with my father-in-law,
before they proceeded to leave the office. She tried to call Melayne but by
then, there was no phone service.

I called Craig, who was working at a client’s office
that day in Parsippany, New Jersey. I told him that a plane had hit
the WorldTradeCenter
and that I had spoken with his mom. I asked him to come home soon. He asked if
I had heard from his mom again, and I said, “No.” I last spoke to her at 9 a.m.
After that, we couldn’t reach her.

When the first plane hit, one TV news commentator said
it was an act of terrorism, while others called it a tragic accident.

Craig’s parents had lived in a two-bedroom apartment
in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, all their lives. My
mother-in-law would tell us that my father-in-law never wanted to move because
he wanted to stay in a “one-fare-zone:” one train to work and one train back
home. So when he was given the opportunity to telecommute, only then did
Craig’s parents move from Brooklyn to Cranford,
New Jersey in December 1996.
Craig’s dad had been working from home since moving, occasionally going into
the office in New York.
But on Sept. 11, after three years of working outside the office, he had to go
to New York City
for a meeting.

So was it fate? Was God looking after my family?

Craig’s dad had been inside 6 World Trade Center, an
eight-story office building right near the towers, on the third floor inside
the cafeteria, overlooking the promenade. He was early for his scheduled
meeting with the customs office at 9 a.m., so he had decided to get some coffee
with his female colleague. The cafeteria had big glass windows that showcased a
nice view of the big plaza that was in front of the towers. He was sitting,
sipping coffee when he heard an incredibly loud noise and saw the chandeliers
swaying inside the cafeteria. A few seconds later, as he looked out the window,
he saw debris the size of baseballs raining down on the plaza.

“Gee, what’s that all about?” he asked.

A few seconds later, my father-in-law heard a few loud
“boom-boom-booms!” The debris from the NorthTower
was raining down on the flat roof of the building he was in. My father-in-law
jumped up and ran away from the window and headed to the nearest exit. By the
time he got to the stairs, there were people coming down from the higher
floors. When he got outside, he looked up and noticed that there was a big hole
on the side of the NorthTower. He thought there
was an explosion inside the building. He didn’t realize that the tower was hit
by a plane until he heard a woman saying in disbelief that a plane had hit the NorthTower!

All my father-in-law was focused on was getting to his
wife. He rushed toward my mother-in-law’s office building. Her building was
already preparing to evacuate. Her office was on the third floor, the
television was on and the news about the morning’s events dominated the
airwaves. Craig’s parents were watching the news, and when they looked out the
window, they noticed that the people on West Street (West Side Highway) were all
looking up. It was at that moment that a second plane hit the SouthTower!
Dad looked down and saw people in the street starting to run and panic.

My mother-in-law had been walking with a cane on and
off that week because she had injured her foot. With her husband’s help, they
hurriedly went downstairs to the street and saw the burning towers. My
father-in-law saw somebody jump from the building. “I can’t stand here and
watch. It’s such a terrible sight!” he thought. (The horrific image left a scar that couldn’t be healed.)

My in-laws had walked a short distance away from the WorldTradeCenter when the first
tower came down. They continued walking north when they noticed a woman walking
in the opposite direction with her mouth wide open and fear in her eyes. My
in-laws looked back and saw that the two buildings that used to tower over
downtown New York,
where they had each worked for decades, were now replaced by big clouds of
smoke. They were shocked, but they knew they couldn’t stop and continued
walking.

After the second plane hit the SouthTower,
I went to school and picked up my children and nephew, who was living with us.
I asked the principal, “How come you are not letting the kids go home?” He
looked at me with sadness and said, “Some of the kids’ parents may not be coming
home.”

And that’s when it hit me…

When I got back home, I called Benjie and asked him to
come over, along with my parents. We had heard that the Pentagon had been
attacked, too, and there were conflicting reports of other plane crashes. All I
could think of was having the family together – under one roof!

Craig finally got home and called his sister, Melayne,
to come over.

We were on our feet, bundles of nerves, hysterical to
put it mildly, not knowing Craig’s parents’ whereabouts. We waited by the
phone. The morning turned to afternoon. It was getting darker…

After walking for eight hours because they didn’t know
where to go, Craig’s parents finally made it to 34th Street. My father-in-law
was astonished to see that 34th
Street seemed so perfectly normal – not a single
trace of the tragedy. People were still shopping. My mother-in-law’s feet were
bleeding and in pain, so she stopped by Payless Shoes to get a new pair of
socks and sneakers.

Macy’s on 34th
Street remained open. People gathered at the Cellar,
where they were selling food. My mother-in-law borrowed someone’s cell phone
since hers had stopped working.

Our house phone rang. It was about 5 p.m. Craig picked
up the phone. It was his mom. She told Craig that they were at Macy’s and were
headed to 23rd Street
to get to the ferry that would take them to Weehawken.

After Craig spoke to his mom, he said, “Everything is
OK with the world. Mom is shopping!” Craig’s parents finally got back to Cranford at about 10 that night.

That day, September 11, is a day we will always
remember. Almost 3,000 people died that day. I don’t believe that it’s God’s
will that those people died. Our family was one of the few who happened to be
blessed that day. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if…

Yes, what if?

Like most Americans that day, we didn’t know what the
next day would be like.

That night, we said our thanks to God, ordered Chinese
food, and gathered together in the dining room as Craig’s parents recounted the
day’s events as they saw it – something
so tragic, one only wishes it had never happened!

Today, September 11, 2017, let's remember the first responders who leave their families behind, put their own needs aside and risk their lives to help save others. To the heart of America, we thank you.

Are you looking for a movie with complex cinematic production, lavish scenic locations, supernatural heroes, explosive stunts,
sci-fi twists and special effects?

If you are, then the movie, "The Good Catholic", is not what you're looking for. However, it is something you should reconsider, because it's a feel-good movie that will make you think, ponder and chuckle.

You're probably thinking, "it's probably preachy since it's a Catholic movie." First of all, it's not preachy at all, and secondly, it is not a Catholic movie.

In celebration of my birthday, my friend invited me to go see a movie. I suggested that we see "The Good Catholic" which was recommended by another friend of ours. It's playing until September 14th in our town, Cranford, which is known as the Center of the Universe. Today happened to be a special showing followed by a Q&A with the actor and the director.

"The Good Catholic", is an independent film that draws the
attention of the viewers with story lines that capture the human emotion and dialogues
that are compelling and witty. The Good Catholic is that one independent film
you would want to watch, more than once.

It is a story about a young priest who has his set daily
routine until he stumbled into a crossroad. In his simplicity and innocence, he
believes that his purpose in life is to be a Man of God although certain uncertainties
about his faith, and an encounter with a woman at his Friday night confessional shift,
casted a doubt.

It is a straight-forward film that makes you feel like you’re
sitting on your favorite couch reading a book. You get drawn to every dialogue
and on how the characters interact and evolve. At times, you'd wish you could flip
the pages and re-read the conversations.

"The Good Catholic" is loosely based on writer-director Paul
Schoulberg’s personal experience. His father was a priest, and his mother was a
nun. The movie centers on the conflict
experienced by the young priest, Father Daniel, played by the adorably telegenic, charismatic and angelic, Zachary Spicer.

Father Daniel lives in the church rectory together with two priests
with totally opposite personalities: the straight-faced, ever- serious, wiser
and by-the-book, Father Victor (Danny Glover) and the fun-loving, carb-loading
and comedic, Father Ollie (John C. McGinley).

His routine was interrupted by his interaction with an unconventional woman, Jane (Wrenn Schmidt).

A few of my favorite scenes from the movie occur at the rectory’s dining
room and at the altar where the 3 priests rehearse their homilies.

Here’s one of the excerpts from the movie when Father Ollie
talks about compassion.

I grew up with very Catholic families. I have uncles, aunts and cousins who are priests and nuns. My father was an ex-seminarian when he met my mother. From what I was told, priesthood is a vocation that requires dedication, true faith, compassion and strict adherence to their vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. But all these all fall under one rule of God: LOVE.

The movie reminds you of what makes life
beautiful, the simple things that matter and the reason why our heart beats the
way it does. It’s a film about love,
faith and simple pleasures.

Focus

The film requires that you focus on the conversation and not
to be distracted with lavish production tactics - a good detox cure for multi-tasking
ADHD mothers like me. The acting and the script will make you glued to the screen.

Friendships

Friends support each other. Friends help each other shine. Friends empower one another.

One of the film’s Associate Producers is a friend of mine,
who’s been very supportive of the community. And today, it's our turn to give back. Congratulations, Marie Forrestal!

Our town’s very own, Jake Forrestal, was one of the featured
choir members who sang “Amazing Grace”, beautiful voice as always. (Congrats, Jake)

Forrestal brought the movie to our suburban town and we got the chance to get to know Spicer and Schoulberg at the Q&A after screening. I learned the behind the scenes developments on how they turned the idea into this magical and powerful production. ( I decided not to write about it on this blog since they are still doing the "The Good Catholic" Tour town by town.)

Support Independent Films

"The Good Catholic" is an independent film produced by people like you and me: people who had a vision, a dream, a story to share - and were given a chance to
shine; a community of friends who believed and had the courage and conviction to make their dreams happen.

As a mother of a son who's in the arts, documentation and film making, I know the sweat and tears that go into making something magical out of a creative idea.

Supporting independent films is like that week in November when we all “BUY LOCAL” to support the Small Business owners.
We have to support dreamers and doers like Paul Schoulberg and Zachary Spicer. To Paul and Zachary, congratulations! You created something magical and powerful.

So, grab that pumpkin-spice latte and invite your book club friends, your multi-media journalism students, your girlfriends or your
husband to go watch the movie, "The Good Catholic" and then go to iTunes or Amazon and buy/download the movie so you can watch it again and again until you memorize the lines.

"The Good Catholic", Best Feature Film Winner at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Best Screenplay Winner at Milan International Film Festival, is available in select theatres, iTunes and Amazon.

NEW FRIENDSHIPS, LOTS OF HUGS, LOVE, INSPIRATION AND SWEAT

Have you ever attended a fitness festival?

I learned of FitFluencers Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn's (aka K&K) Tone It Up Challengethrough Self magazine's newsletter. I signed-up for the challenge and did the suggested work-outs. The playfulness and youthful energy of the two cheerful fitness gurus reminded me of my daughter and nieces.

A month ago, I found out that K&K are doing a fitness festival (Tone it Up Tour) in Brooklyn, New York (!!!) with celebrity trainer, Jillian Michaels (!!!!!!). In case you're from another fitness planet and you haven't heard of Jillian Michaels, she's best known as the intense personal trainer at the reality television show, "The Biggest Loser".

Push-ups, squats, weight "lifting", downward dog and planks were all foreign to me until after my fourth child, FOUR, was born. I was approaching 40 when I started working-out, but I didn't get somewhat consistent until 2011, after my 47th birthday. Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred was (and still is) my go-to work-out to get me back on track.

When I first heard of the tour, I wasn't sure if it was something I would like to go to. My RN daughter, ONE, had to work that day and my friend had other plans. I didn't know anyone who was going but I penciled it in my calendar regardless. (Maybe that's it! I manifested it with my affirmations).

Ten days leading to the event, I asked Hubby if I we have the budget for me to purchase the VIP Tone It Up tour ticket - and to my surprise he said, "Yes!" I was ecstatic because it's like opening a Christmas and Hanukkah present in September.

I was busy with my other tasks on my to-do list that I didn't get the chance to actually purchase the tickets. Every day, for 10 days, I asked Hubby, "Should I?" to the point that he wished it was already the day after the tour.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because on that day it's either you're ecstatically sharing stories about your new adventure or you're trying to rationalize why it was not a good idea that you decided not to go."

The day before the tour, I finally committed on going. I went online and clicked on the "Buy Ticket" icon but then the website returned with this message

We're sorry, there are no tickets currently available through TicketWeb.Needless to say, I didn't know how to react. My heart felt like crying but my head was telling me to move on and that it probably wasn't meant to be, but my youngest, FOUR, told me to believe that it will happen.

I sent an email to ToneItUp's Customer Service and went out for a walk with Hubby. When we got back, I got an email stating that the problem was resolved.

So there I was, ready to press the "Buy Ticket" button again, and voila, I'm in!

That night I went to bed early but I couldn't sleep. I kept dreaming about the event. I was anxious on "what to wear", "what to do","how do I make friends?" and "what do I do when I see Jillian Michaels?"

On the day of the tour, I told my daughter all about my anxieties and she only had 1 advice: BE YOURSELF.She also reminded me that I have a perky, cheerful personality so I should fit right in.

So what can you expect from a Tone-It-Up fitness festival?

Wear Comfortable Clothes

It's a fitness festival so expect to wear your most comfortable work-out clothes. I was waiting in line to check-in when I met 2 very nice TIUers. They seemed to be two best friends who are die-hard K&K fans. She's from New York, and she's from Atlanta. They told me about the many Tone It Up retreats they'd attended and how they looked forward to wearing the cute and colorful athleisure outfits.

I think I heard other people mentioned something about mermaids, too.

Oh by the way, there's only 1 line to check-in whether you purchased a General Admission or a VIP ticket.

Prepare to Smile and Make New Friends

Through out the event, you're encouraged to get to know the person next to you. Luckily for me, I met 2 new amazing friends who truly admire K&K. Their genuine personality and positive energy filled your heart with love and inspiration. No wonder the whole venue was surrounded with Share. Love. Inspire. Sweat reminders.

When Katrina was walking in between the aisles, inspiring us and reminding us to inhale and exhale, she stopped at where I was - and of course I asked her for a group photo with my new pals, and she did with a smile and patiently waited until I figured out how to take the selfie! (She's absolutely beautiful.)

Witnessing K&K laughed, complimented each other and encouraged one another, reminded me how important it is to have that "one person", your BFF.

Yoga Mat, Yes. Bag, No.

In case you were busy and didn't get a chance to read the email regarding the tour, bringing a bag to the venue is a no-no. I'm guessing it's for security reasons.

You don't need a bag anyway because one of the giveaways is the Tone-It-Up string bag for General Admission and a tote bag for VIP ticket holders. The giveaway also included the booty band, ocean blue hat, and sunscreen.

You also don't need to worry about bringing your own water bottle because the event was sponsored by CORE Hydration perfectly balanced water, and you can avail as many water bottles as you want.

Once you walk-in, you'd be on sensory overload. Music by DJMadds was playing. There were so many to see that for 15 minutes I forgot why I was there. I was distracted as I checked the Braid Bar, Tone It Up merchandise tent, beauty salons and the Core Intention Tent, when it dawned on me that for me to get a good spot, I had to reserve that spot.

After I wrote down my core-intention (healthy, stronger me #CPT) , I got myself a name tag to mark my yoga mat. Here's a little suggestion: write your Instagram name on the card and not your full name like I initially did. Do what millennials do. It's cooler that way. Plus, it's an era when you don't exchange business cards but instead you follow each other on @instagram.

I asked the millennials where's the best spot to set-up my yoga mat. I told them I was going for the very front rows but they suggested that the middle is better because you wouldn't feel awkward leaving for a few minutes if you needed to. And luckily, I think I found my spot:

I am thankful that Katrina and Karena had the vision to create such a community who genuinely empowers one another. In writing this article, I got to know K&K, how they met and what inspired them to launch the Tone It Up (TIU) Community and how they remain relevant to this Fitfluencer Market.

In a much I'd love to get to know more behind the heart and soul of Tone-It-Up, I was there because I wanted to work-out with my fitness idol, Jillian Michaels (JM) and to have a chance to get lots of hugs - and that I did!

The funny thing was that when I was talking to the TUIers, they told me that JM can be "good scary". Her work-outs are very intense, and unlike K&K who are both peppy and encouraging, JM will push you to work a little more harder.

I quietly laughed because I already knew that, and that was probably why I was shaking when I finally got to thank her for being an inspiration. In the opening monologue of Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred DVDs, she'd tell you to "make it count"and reminded you that "there's a price in order to be the sickest, strongest version of you. It means there will be a lot of sweating, and shedding a few tears and I'll try not to draw blood but I can't make any promises."

The first fitness instructor who took the stage was from Core Power Yoga Williamsburg followed by Jillian Michael's who got us all sweaty with the 30 minute cardio-HIIT work-out routines that covered strength, cardio and abs. The Meet-and-Greet followed the work-outs. K&K took the stage after JM.

The Meet and Greet happened at the VIP lounge where the TIU Team set up pastel-colored couches, pillows and blankets where you can enjoy a sip or two of the complimentary rose.

I love thefinaleat K&K's workout set - when you partnered with your new friend, held hands, and leaned back as you put your trust in each other to maintain the balance and keep your feet on the ground. It's difficult to describe so you just have to attend one of these events to truly appreciate what I'm trying to explain. I just want to warn you, you might get hooked after one Tone-It-Up Tour!

I didn't stay for the after party but I heard it was a blast. I also didn't get a chance to take advantage of the massage tables, braid corners, DIY jewelry and more but I did take time to watch the sunset.

As a story teller, I would have loved to be on every tour and document the reactions from the TUIers - the diehards, the rock stars, the newbies, the millennials and the baby boomers like me.

Everything comes to an end, like any other story. However, as I walked back to the subway station, it felt like a new story has just began. As I passed by our old neighborhood where Hubby and I used to live and hang-out, I got nostalgic and wondered what it would have been like to raise our four (4) kids in Brooklyn.

So if you're still not sure if you should attend one of K&K's Tone It Up Tours, here's a little reminder:

Things do happen for a reason, and based on the lessons learned from this week's events which could be summed up from this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt:

Makilala TV, the first Filipino American television talk show in the New York metropolitan area, is slated to debut on BronxNet TV on September 7.

BronxNet becomes the third public access community network in NYC to broadcast Makilala. The cultural program, hosted by public health professional Rachelle Ocampo, author Jen Furer, and journalist Cristina DC Pastor, is an MNN production which is filmed every month out of Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s El Barrio Firehouse Community Center. Before coming to MNN, it was aired through Queens Public Television from 2013 after it was created by Maricor Fernandez and Pastor.

Right now, Makilala is “live to drive” on MNN, QPTV, and BronxNet. All three stations have a combined viewership of more than a million subscribers.

“I got curious, I felt a strong energy, force to stop by the studio during the production of an anniversary episode of your program. I was impressed with your program and chatted with your team,” he said.

He left a card, and Makilala promptly sent an email. BronxNet Traffic Manager Bernardo Moronta, who heads the programming department, reviewed the pilot and was impressed.

“I felt that it was very compelling with high production value, and would make a great addition to our multicultural channel," said Moronta. “Filipinos constitute one of the fastest-growing ethnicities in the United States, and BronxNet is proud to provide strong programming for this under-served audience."

Co-hosts Jen Furer, Rachelle Ocampo, and Cristina DC Pastor interview community leaders on Makilala, the first Filipino American talk show in the New York metropolitan area. Makilala means ‘get to know’ in the Philippine language.

The show airs primetime on BronxNet’s BX Culture channels, Optimum 69 and Fios 35, every Thursday at 8 p.m. It can also be streamed worldwide via BronxNet.TV. Bronx resident, Victor Palmos, is the Playback Producer, while Furer is the Playback Video Editor/Coordinator.

On August 30, Furer and Pastor visited BronxNet’s Lehman College facility to express their thanks. They met Moronta, and reconnected with Knobbe.

“I'm excited that the Executive Director of BronxNet was impressed with our ‘little’ show,” said Furer enthused. “This means that our show is starting to get noticed by people outside of our community.”

Moronta said BronxNet is just as “excited” to air Makilala, the first Filipino American program in the station’s 25-year history.

"First QPTV, then MNN, and now BronxNet! We are truly fulfilling our mission to raise the Filipino American voice through honest and provocative conversations,” said Ocampo. “I appreciated Mr. Knobbe’s genuine interest in our show and our potential to grow our viewership."

Knobbe said the station would like to invite Filipinos living in the Bronx to attend training courses on field or studio production. Once they become certified access producers, they can use the facilities of BronxNet and produce their own shows.

There are approximately 4,800 Filipinos in the Bronx as of 2015, according to the Philippine Consulate in New York, citing data from the Migration Policy Institute.

“BronxNet is connecting the Bronx to the world,” said Knobbe. “Our programs reflect the tone of one of the most diverse places in the world. The Bronx is a symbol of urban renewal. It’s a beautiful place to visit, beautiful place to live. It’s got more green, more park than any other boro in NYC. Filipinos are welcome to join us here at BronxNet and see what we do here.”

“Makilala is proud to be part of the BronxNet’s family and its long and storied history of community-based journalism,” said Pastor.

Kris Maszkiewicz is the founder of TopColoringPages.net, a website where coloring fans can download for free, printable coloring pages such as cartoon characters, super heroes, celebrities, nature designs for children and adults.

Kris is based in Poland and is enjoying fatherhood. GottaLoveMom had a chance to talk to him about fatherhood.

What inspired you to create your website?

I am a father of a little boy named Antoni. He appeared in my world a year ago and virtually turned my world upside down. Everybody is ready for it until it happens, right?

The day Antoni was born I decided to use my new-found energy and enthusiasm to create a website where children around the world can download coloring pages for free.

As a child, I loved coloring pages and I thought that it was a good idea to spread this activity for future generations.

That’s why I put together the website, topcoloringpages.net, with classic coloring pages in a modern package: You can print them anywhere, anytime, and they’re absolutely free.

Coloring is known to unlock our creativity,

our imagination.
It stimulates the brain, a stress-free exercise to help us relax and unwind.

The first thing I do after waking up is watch the sky and
the tree tops. This routine started pretty accidentally, a couple of months
ago. I had a tough day and when the alarm clock rang I hit the snooze button
because wanted to rest a little bit longer in my bed.

As I was lying in bed, I was figuring out how to prepare for
the day’s challenges. I turned my head to the window and saw what the weather
was like. And I saw beautiful blue sky with only a few white clouds and a bird
flying by.

I stared at this view for a few minutes. I was enchanted.
That’s when I realized that I was breathing much deeper, calmer than usual and
the stress had gone somewhere. It was simple, a very cleansing experience.

And since then, it’s become my morning routine. Starting the
day that way allows me to get the right perspective of my day and set my mind
on the right track.

What tickles your
imagination?

I believe that imagination is like a car. Even the best car
will not give you good results if it’s poorly fueled.

What is a good fuel for me then? Generally, I try to deliver
a lot of various stimulus to my mind. I mean: I meet new people, exchange
ideas, travel a lot (even not far), read a lot, dream, exercise my body and
mind, watch the world in a mindful way and stay open minded.

It's also important to keep balance between work and rest.
Very often when I try too hard, the results are very poor. And on the other
hand, sometimes good ideas just pump into my head totally unexpected.

What is the one
advice from your mom/dad do you remember the most?

"It's your life, so you have to decide yourself."
I don't remember when I heard that the first time but I’ve known that since I
can remember.

I always trusted my parents and I knew that I could rely on
them. Nevertheless, they never tried to navigate my life like other parents
often do.

Education path, relationships, finance management etc. -
they never tried to meddle into that too much.

I think it helped me to be more self-confident person.

As a father, what is
your role in your son's life?

That's a very tough question to answer. Generally, my roles
change almost every day.

Some days I'm the only one who can put him to sleep and on
other days, it's granny or someone else.

But if I had to pick just one role, I would say a guardian
angel.

I want to be close to Antoni every time whenever he needs
me: to be someone he wants talk to, trust and believe in.

What is the one
consistent thing you do at the end of the day?

I am the last person to go to sleep in our home so I check
if everything is fine: doors closed, the temperature is set correctly, and that
my son isn’t sleeping in some acrobatic position.

That is what my father used to do and now it's my turn. I
sleep well when my family sleeps well.

According to Kris's website (TopColoringPages ), "coloring can be far more than just a hobby, or a way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Coloring pages are great for mental, emotional, intellectual condition. The following are some of the benefits of coloring pages in psychology and general development:

About GottaLoveMom

I'm Jenjen Furer - As a stay-at-home mom, I started “GottaLoveMom” as a hobby. I write about family, friends and the challenges of motherhood. I believe that “Motherhood is not a job. It’s a gift. It’s a happy simple life.” Learn more